JAMMU, June 4: At least half a dozen houses were damaged and Mahore-Gulabgarh road was blocked due to mudslides, after a suspected cloudburst triggered flash-flood in Mahore Sub Division of district Reasi; the tin roofs of several houses were uprooted due to windstorm in border belt of Kathua and Samba while light to moderate rain lashed many parts of Jammu region this evening.Reports said due to cloudy weather conditions and gusty winds , the helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine from the base camp Katra, was also disrupted for about two hours in the afternoon, however, it was restored in the evening. The battery car service and onfoot pilgrimage, however, continued uninterrupted.
Official sources told the Excelsior that at least seven houses and two water mills were partially damaged due to flash flood amidst after heavy rain and cloudburst at Bathoi village in remote Gulabgarh area of Mahore Sub Division of Reasi on Thursday afternoon. Due to mudslides, Mahore-Gulabgarh road was also blocked. However, it was restored in the evening.Reports said due to cloudy weather conditions and gusty winds , the helicopter service to Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine from the base camp Katra, was also disrupted for about two hours in the afternoon, however, it was restored in the evening. The battery car service and onfoot pilgrimage, however, continued uninterrupted.
Official sources told the Excelsior that at least seven houses and two water mills were partially damaged due to flash flood amidst after heavy rain and cloudburst at Bathoi village in remote Gulabgarh area of Mahore Sub Division of Reasi on Thursday afternoon. Due to mudslides, Mahore-Gulabgarh road was also blocked. However, it was restored in the evening.Sources said people of the area claimed that after cloudburst on the mountain, the flash flood occurred and caused damage to the houses. However, the Sub Divisional administration claimed that it was an incident of flash flood as area received heavy rain for about an hour. The flash flood brought huge volume of debris/ mudslides from the mountain that damaged their houses. Even water and mud entered many houses and caused damage to the structures and the goods kept inside. At least five cattle-shed perished in the flash flood.
The SHO Mahore along with police force and the officials from local administration visited the affected village and supervised the relief and rescue operation. Fortunately, no loss of life has been reported in the incident. But some cattle were said to be missing.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X,” Spoke with the DC Reasi to assess the situation, following an incident of cloudburst at village Bathoi. While several houses suffered damage, fortunately, no casualties have been reported. I have directed the DC to immediately provide assistance and relief to the affected families.”
This is fifth cloudburst in Jammu region in past three days. Four cloudbursts were reported in three districts — Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch — in Jammu region on Tuesday, triggering flash floods and road blockades in several areas, though no loss of life or property was reported, officials said.
Mahore Sub Division experienced moderate to heavy rain today while adjoining areas of Ramban, Udhampur, besides, Doda, Bhaderwah and Kishtwar area light to moderate rain. However, roads remained open despite rain. Even Jammu-Srinagar National Highway remained operational.
Jammu city and its adjoining areas also experienced light to moderate rain this evening while gusty winds in plain areas caused damage to the power infrastructure. Power supply not only in Jammu, but also in Samba and Kathua areas remained disrupted for several hours. The tin roofs of several houses in border belt of Kathua and Samba were reportedly uprooted due to strong winds.
The rain has brought down the temperature and provided respite to the people from hot weather condition during the day today. The day temperature continued to remain below 38 degree Celsius during last three days in Jammu due to evening thundershowers. A drop in the temperatures has been witnessed in Jammu, Katra, Bhaderwah, Reasi, Udhampur, Batote, Doda and other places.
Meanwhile, a MeT official has predicted one or two spells of rain/thundershower/ hailstorm /gusty winds at most places of the region with brief intense showers at a few places. He said on June 6 the weather will remain generally cloudy with brief moderate rain at scattered places. The weatherman further predicted hot and dry weather from June 7 to 12.
